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Police investigate killings, shooting of suspect south of Reno

Staff report and Associated Press
2:53 p.m. PDT June 16, 2014

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Officials have taped off the property on Leo Bingo Court in Washoe Valley where two people were found dead and one injured Friday night. The suspect was later killed in a shoot-out with Carson City Sheriff's officers at the Sand Mountain Recreation Area.(Photo: Yvonne Beasley/RGJ)Buy Photo

Washoe County sheriff's deputies are continuing to investigate a double-homicide at a Washoe Valley home where a suspected gunman led officers on a high-speed chase before they fatally shot him nearly 100 miles away.

6:43 p.m. Saturday update:

Law enforcement officials are investigating the scene of two deaths and an injury in Washoe Valley.

A suspect in the deaths was killed in a later shootout with officers on Friday night, authorities have said.

No identities had been released as of Saturday evening.

On Saturday morning, the blue ranch house on the boundary of Washoe Lake State Park was taped off and guarded by Washoe County sheriff's deputies. A crime-scene truck was parked on the road.

About 7:30 p.m. Friday, deputies were called to the 4800 block of Leo Bingo Court on a report of the shooting.

As deputies arrived on scene they discovered a dead female near the front door of the residence, the sheriff's office said in a news release Saturday.

The man who initially reported the shooting was nearby and deputies saw that he had also been injured by what was later determined to be non-life threatening gunshot wounds, the sheriff's office said. He was transported to a local hospital.

Deputies later discovered a second dead female within the home.

Chase into Churchill County

As deputies continued their investigation on Leo Bingo Court, the Carson City Sheriff's Office intercepted a Jeep Cherokee that had reportedly fled the scene. The chase ended in Churchill County where the suspect was killed in a shooting, the sheriff's office said.

The vehicle involved in the pursuit was stolen from the Leo Bingo address where the shooting occurred, the sheriff's office said. Property belonging to one of the female victims was found inside the Jeep as well, the sheriff's office said.

Washoe County detectives said they are awaiting an autopsy and formal identification of the suspect to confirm whether he is the suspect in the Washoe Valley homicides.

"However, at this time detectives believe there are no are no outstanding suspects related to the Leo Bingo homicide scene," the sheriff's office said in a statement.

Seeking information on pickup truck

At the Leo Bingo crime scene, detectives found a white Nissan Frontier truck with Arizona license plates hidden in the garage. The truck is believed to have been driven into the garage by the suspect, authorities said. Detectives also learned that the truck had been at the Washoe Lake State Park campground in the days prior to the killings.

During their search of the Leo Bingo crime scene, detectives found a white Nissan Frontier truck with Arizona license plates hidden in the garage.
Washoe County Undersheriff Tim Kuzanek is asking for the public’s assistance in helping to establish the whereabouts of this vehicle in the days prior to the killing.(Photo: Washoe County Sheriff's Office)

Washoe County Undersheriff Tim Kuzanek is asking for the public's assistance in helping to establish the whereabouts of this vehicle in the days prior to the killing.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the sheriff's detectives at 775-328-3320, or Secret Witness at 775-322-4900.

12:26 p.m. update

Law enforcement officials are investigating the scene of two Friday night deaths and an injury in Washoe Valley. A suspect in the deaths was killed in a later shoot-out with officers.

On Saturday morning, the blue ranch house on the border of Washoe Lake State Park was taped off and guarded by Washoe County Sheriff's deputies. A large crime-scene truck was parked on the road.

According to Washoe County Sheriff's Detective Lt. Tom Green, officers were called about 7:30 p.m. Friday to a report of shots fired at the 4800 block of Leo Bingo Court in New Washoe City.

There, officers found two dead female victims and one injured male victim.

The male victim was transported to Renown Regional Medical Center. His condition was not known Friday night.

Officers determined a vehicle, described as a white Jeep Cherokee by the Nevada Highway Patrol, was missing from the residence.

Carson City Sheriff's officers intercepted the vehicle and began a chase around 8:45 p.m. Friday, moving eastbound on U.S. 50 at high speed.

The suspect drove to Sand Mountain Recreation Area, where he engaged in gunfire with officers and was killed.

No officers were injured in the shoot-out.No identification of the suspect or victims was available late Friday.

The Washoe County Sheriff's Office is investigating a pickup with Arizona plates, make and color unknown, found at the Washoe Valley residence.

The Carson City Sheriff's Department, Washoe County and NHP are among the jurisdictions involved, Edgell said.